Nuclear expert, ethics professor and early years’ educator all recognised
A trio of people with strong links to University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) have been recognised with honorary awards.
Honorary Doctorates were conferred to Mike Tynan and Professor Klaus Leisinger while Sarah Carr OBE received an Honorary Fellowship during the two-weeks of bumper graduation ceremonies.
They took to the stage of UCLan’s Sir Tom Finney Sports Hall, on the Preston Campus, to accept their awards. They were joined by more than 6,500 graduates, from the classes of summer 2020, winter 2020 and summer 2021, who returned to the University for the long-awaited celebrations.
"You might want to reflect on some basic lessons I’ve learned in leadership: number one - work hard and never stop learning. Number two - find something to enjoy in your job, it makes number one much easier"
— Honorary Doctorate Mike Tynan
Mike Tynan is an experienced leader in the civil nuclear sector with a career spanning 40 years. He received his award to acknowledge the significant contribution he has made to the Higher Education sector, particularly through his support and guidance on a number of University projects, most notably the Engineering Innovation Centre and the development of nuclear education.
He told the new graduates: “You might want to reflect on some basic lessons I’ve learned in leadership: number one - work hard and never stop learning. Number two - find something to enjoy in your job, it makes number one much easier. Number three - generate some enthusiasm; it’s infectious, motivating, and it’s visible. And number four - don’t ever be afraid to ask the ‘dumb’ question – you’ll find it’s not so dumb.”
Professor Klaus Leisinger received his award to acknowledge the significant contribution he has made to the Higher Education sector, particularly through his co-development on the Global Code of Conduct for Research in Resource-Poor Settings, and his support of the TRUST project.
He has held numerous advisory positions in organisations such as the United Nations Global Compact, the United Nations Development Program, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.
"I am truly honoured and grateful to the University. To all the young graduates today beginning their careers I want to say: do not worry if you can’t see a clear path ahead. Ride the waves of life. "
— Honorary Fellow Sarah Carr OBE
“I am greatly humbled by your recognition for my work,” he said. “I have been very fortunate to work with the University of Central Lancashire’s Centre for Professional Ethics, and in particular with Professor Doris Schröder and her colleagues. This team of experts has bravely accepted that economic calculations, socio-political modelling and hard scientific knowledge, eg in the field of biology or genetics, are all necessary but insufficient conditions when it comes to solving wicked global problems. What was needed was the ethical postulate ‘Leave No One Behind’.”
Alumni Sarah Carr OBE received her award to acknowledge the significant contribution she has made to early years’ education and childcare. The Chairman of the National Day Nurseries Association founded Hutton’s Ashbridge School and Nursery and the subsequent nurseries in Higher Walton and Cottam.
Sarah, from Lytham, added: “To be here in Preston, the town of my birth, in this magnificent University campus, born of the original Preston Polytechnic is remarkable. My being recognised, through this award, for successfully using many of the skills that I first learnt here is incredibly special. I am truly honoured and grateful to the University. To all the young graduates today beginning their careers I want to say: do not worry if you can’t see a clear path ahead. Ride the waves of life. Opportunities will come, be alert and seize them. Always go with your hearts, believe in what you do.”
